It seems that Australians are flocking to NYC in increasing numbers. It is no longer uncommon to hear an Aussie accent when you’re walking down the streets of SoHo or ordering your cup of coffee. Speaking of coffee, it seems that it is not just the Aussies themselves that are congregating in NYC — The New York Times has termed the increasing number of Aussie cafes in the city “an invasion.”
Indeed, Australians (myself included) take their coffee very seriously. We’re forever grateful to the Italian migrants who introduced espresso coffee to Australia in the post-World War II period. Most recently, Sasa Sestic became the second Australian barista to win the World Barista Championship in the competition’s 15th year. Compared to traditional Italian espresso coffee, the Aussie version is generally richer, nuttier, bolder and more intense.
So, when you are looking for a place to get your next morning cuppa or that arvo caffeine boost, check out one of these Aussie-influenced gems in NYC.
Two Hands
Photo by Josephine Rozman
You’ve probably seen their pretty Acai bowls featured on every NYC foodblogger’s Instagram. However, this bright and airy cafe centrally located in Little Italy offers more than those. Its savory offerings include corn fritters with pickled beets and smashed avocado toast sprinkled with chili flakes. Not to mention their espresso drinks that pose fierce competition to surrounding Italian cafes.
Bluestone Lane
Photo courtesy of Ben Hider Photography
This Aussie-run coffee shop uses Melbourne coffee roasters Niccolo coffee for their espresso, so you can order a true blue Aussie flat white. It serves Aussie-style cafe fare like aioli BLT and toasted banana bread topped with fresh ricotta, toasted pecans, fresh banana, and drizzled with honey. And yes, you can order your toast with vegemite and butter.
They have five locations in Manhattan from the Upper East Side down to the Financial District.
Ruby’s Cafe
Photo courtesy of Ruby’s Cafe
This Little Italy coffee shop has a mouth-watering brekkie menu that includes the Aussie big breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomato, baked beans and hash brown. You can also order yourself a real Aussie beer, and I don’t mean Foster’s.
Little Collins
Photo courtesy of Little Collins
Named after the iconic street in Melbourne that is known for its abundance of fantastic coffee shops, Little Collins serves smashed avo toast (are you beginning to see a pattern here?) and vegemite on toast. Guess what they named the latter? The Convict.
Bluebird Coffee Shop
Photo courtesy of Bluebird Coffee
Bluebird Coffee is located on the quiet, leafy E 2nd Street of the East Village. Next time you go there to get your coffee fix, you may also want to sample their delicious food menu with decadent offerings like truffle salt-seasoned scrambled eggs and mushrooms on brioche.
Brunswick Cafe
Photo courtesy of Brunswick Cafe
This cafe shares its name with one of the most multi-cultural and colorful suburbs of Melbourne. Its menu is certainly colorful, boasting items like a dressed-up avo toast featuring mint, pickled shallots and romesco. You can also indulge in a multi-cultural experience by ordering the banh mi sandwich, which is a lunch staple for many Australians.
Cafe Grumpy
Photo courtesy of Cafe Grumpy
Feeling grumpy? You won’t be after having one of their beautiful lattes. Coffee is definitely the focus of their business, but you can pick up a sweet treat with your coffee to beat that mid-week slump. They have six locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, for the convenience of your caffeine acquisition.
Milk Bar
Photo courtesy of Milk Bar
This gem in Brooklyn serves some mean flat whites, and the Aussie classic eats — meat pies. Their extensive menu also features some Aussie cafe classics like sourdough toast and bircher muesli (yes, Aussies love their bircher muesli). For an indulgent, caffeinated treat, order yourself an Australian iced coffee (a double shot of chilled espresso over two scoops of vanilla bean ice cream topped with milk) and thank me later.